Tension control device



Oct. 30, 1945. G. s. CA-RBONNEAU I 2,388,121

TENSION CONTROL DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 e6 J0 #7 M1.E312. 22 ,4? N 66 w 46 W I 40 g, 62 i I I M INVENTOR; GQMZOH Jf'anazzrzm Ma ma/7% I r I I Oct. 30, 1945. G. s. CARBONNEAU 2,333,121

- l TENSION CONTROL DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1945 '5 Shets-Sheet 2INVENTQR.

O t. 3Q, 1945. v G. s. CARBONNEAU 2,338,121

TENSION CONTROL DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1943 s Sheets- Sheet s PatentedOct. 30, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE TENSION ooN'rnor. nsvronGordon S. Carbonneau, Park Ridge, 111., assignor to Utah Radio ProductsCompany, Chicago, 111., a corporation'oi Illinois Application October14, 1943. Serial No. 506,180

16 Claims.

This invention relates generally to tension control devices and moreparticularly to tension controls adaptable for use in winding relativelyfine Wire breakage presents a serious problem, particularly inconnection with the handling of light gauge stock. Considerable troublehas been experienced in the handling of fine wire such as copper wire,ranging in diameter from" .0010 inch to .003 ,inch. Nichrome wire havinga diameter as low as 000% inch is employed in ,the manufacture oiresistance windings and presents a serious breakage problem. One methodheretofore employed in winding operations to reduce the possibilityofwire breakage contemplates slow initial winding speeds. Such methods.however, reduce the speed at which the winding operations are completedand do not take into consideration problems incident to the winding ofobjects which are irregular as distinguished from circular incross-section. Objects which are, for exclose winding of the wire uponthe periphery of the part which is being wound.

, time and yet must be sufllcient to insure a firm,

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention toprovide a tension controlling,

device which will enable relatively fine wires to be withdrawn fromsupply spools and wound on rotating objects at substantially uniformtension without breakage.

It is a. further object or the present invention to provide a tensioncontrolling device as set forth above which will enable sudden highspeed starting of the object to be wound without subjecting the wire toexcessive tension, thereby reducing wire breakage to a minimum.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide atensioncontrol arrangement which will enable winding wire upon theperiphery of irregularly shaped objects at uniform tension.

. More specifically. the present invention contemplates a control devicewhich automatically controls the supply spool so that when wire isinitially withdrawngtherefrom the spool is free to rotate in anunwinding direction and after the inertia of the spool tively controlledbraking action positively prevents overrunning of the spool andcooperates to maintain uniform tension in the wire as it is wound uponthe rotating work piece.

In addition, the present invention contemplates a novel floating guidearrangementinterposed between the supply spool andthe rotating work vpiece which serves to materially reduce the tension to which the wiremust be subjected in order to withdraw it from the supply spool.

The present invention contemplates the provision of braking meansincombinatidn with the aforesaid floating guide or pulley, the eflective-.ness' of said brake means being'controlled in accordance with theposition occupied by said guide.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparentfrom the following detail description when considered in connectionwith'the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a tension control I device embodying thepresent invention, said device being shown in operative association witha rotatable work piece to which the wire is being pplied;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view or the supply spool andassociated tension control mechanism, said view being takensubstantially along the line 2 -2 of Fig. l, a portion of the tensionsetting wheel being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the'llne3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line i-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig.6 isfla sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 8-6 of Fig. 5, the major portion of 'the tension settingdisc being broken away to disclose parts otherwise hidden;

' Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view or the resilient bumper for thefloating guide pulley; Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a modifiedtension control mechanism, saidview being taken similarly to theviewshown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the modified control mechanism asviewed'i'rom the left of Fig. 8;

Fig. 1015 a detailed sectional'vlew of the modi- V fledcontrol'mechanism of Figs. 8 and9 to more clearly illustrate thestructural arrangement of with; and

the screw element and parts associated there- Fig. 11 is a view similar7 to Fig. 3 disclosing a has been overcome a senslfurther modified formwherein the brake "arm of Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, is associated withthe screw mechanism of Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail wherein likenumeralshavebeen used to designate similar parts throughout the various figures,it will be seen that one embodiment of the-invention illustrated inFigs. 1 to7, inclusive, comprises a spool supporting and controllingdevice 'designated generally by the numeral 28. This device 28 includesa frame structure designated generally by'the numeral 22 having a basesection 24, an upright or vertical section 26 and a bearingsection 28.-As clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, the bearing section 28 carriessuitably spaced gntia-griction bearings 38 ,for supporting a spin- Thespindle 32 projects beyond the vertical 2 an empty spool 34 is shownpartly in section to illustrate the manner in which conical members 36and 38 serve to maintain the spool concentrically clamped upon thespindle 32. The member 36 is secured to the shaft 32 by a suitable crosspin 48. The-member 38 is internallythreaded to cooperate with the outerthreaded extremity of frame section 22 and this projecting portion ofthe spindle servesto accommodate a, spool 34. In Fig.

ble' element 68, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, the extremity of theflexible element being suitably secured to the control wheel asindicated in Fig. 4. The control wheel 12 is secured to and rotatablewith a spindle or micrometer screw 14, which spindle is rotatablysupported within a bushing 16. This'bushing I6 is securedagainstrotation' upon the frame 28 by a split bearing constructionclearly illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, in-

clusive. By tightening a screw "I8 the bushing is firmly clamped inposition against rotation and axial displacement. Particular attentionis directed to the fact that the rightextremity of the spindle 14 asviewed in Fig. 4 is'threaded and this threaded portion rotates within acomplementary threaded sectionof the bushing 18. Hence rotationexperienced by the controlwheel l2 and consequently by the spindle orscrew 14 causes said shaft or spindle to experience longitudinalmovement. Rotation of the control wheel 12 in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 1, re-

sulting from the upward movement of the portion 'of the flexible member68 extending between the the spindle 32 in securing the spool as arotative unit with .the spindle. This is merely one form or method ofmounting, and is shownfor illustrativepurposes only and not by way oflimitation.

able plastic material. The member 36 is formed integral with a disc orbrake wheel 42, the peripliery of which provides a braking surface whichcooperates with a brake shoe 44. This brake shoe 44 is carriedintermediate the extremities of a verticallydisposed leaf spring member46, the up- In the disclosed embodiment the conical mem bers 3'8 and 38are preferably formed of relatively light material such as vBakeliteorother suitperextremity of the springbeing secured to an arm 48projecting beyond and secured to the upper extremity of the framesection 22 by means of a screw .58. The functioning of the brake shoe 44is controlled by a, mechanism about to be described butbefore describingsaid control mechanism it is well to note that wire to be unwound 58whichis suspended from a flexible element '68. This flexible element 88extends upwardly from the yoke 58 through a resilient buffer or bumpermember 62 and thence over a pulley 64 rotatably supported by aninvertedU-shaped member 86. This U-shaped member 68 serves as a pivotal supportfor the bumper 62 and is secured to the free extremity of a horizontalarm 68. This arm 88 is carried by the upper extremity of a verticalsupport rod I8 and is adjustably secured thereto by a clamping or setscrew II.

The rod 18 extends upwardlyfrom and is secured to the base section 24 ofthe frame 28.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the wheel I2 and the pulley64, will cause the spindle or screw 14 to experience axial movement tothe left as viewed in Fig. 4. The outer'extremity of the spindle orscrew 14 is conical so as to make a point contact with the lowerextremity of the leaf spring 48. Thus, movement of the screw member tothe left releases the pressure against the 'leaf spring and consequentlyrelieves the braking action of the shoe against the periphery of thedisc 42. Movement to the right of the screw 14 serves to urge the spring46 to the right and thereby increases the braking action of the brakes'hoe 44 against the periphery of the brake wheel 42. v

The screw 14 is constantly urged rotatably in a .clockwisedirection asviewed from the left of Figs. 3 and 4 by a.clock spring 88. The innerextremity of the spring 88 is coupled with a drum 82 which is secured tothe control disc 12 in any suitable manner as .by means of rivets 84, as

shown in Fig. 4. The opposite or outer extremity of the clock or spiralspring 88 is secured to a pin 83, which pin is carried by an adjustingplate or disc 88 .This plate or disc 88 is rotatably mounted upon thebushing 13 and is secured against rotary movement by a locking pin 88carried at the outer extremity of a resilient arm extending outwardlyfrom the split bearing structure of the frame 28. By flexing the arm 92so as to withdraw the pin 98 from registration .with' a companionaperture 84, the disc- 88- may be rotated so as to impart greater orless tension to the clock spring 88.

From the foregoing it will be understood that when the pull exerted bythe wire which is being withdrawn from the spool 34 causes the flexibleelement 68 to be unwound from the control wheel 12, the rotationof thewheel 12 is opposed by the clock spring, 88. Likewise, when the tensionof the wire 34a lessens and results in upward movewii'e 34a from thespool 34 is withdrawn from the V grooved so as to receive several turnsof the fleximent of the pulley 52 and consequent tendency for theflexible element 38to slacken, the spring 88 functions to automaticallytake up the slack and simultaneously increase the braking action on thebrake wheel 42.

A clearer understanding of the functioning of the above describedcontrol mechanism may be had by considering the action which takes placewhen the motor 56 is initiall started to cause the winding of the wire34a on the work piece 54. Assume that the free end of thewire 34a isbrought into contact with the periphery oithe spring 80.

' spool '34.

60. The motor is'now suddenly activated, thereby causing a very suddenpull on the wire a. The sudden pulling of the wire a causes a sudden orinstantaneous rotation of the control wheel or disc 12 in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fla. 1 and as viewed from theleft of Figs. 3 and ,4, thereby retracting the screw II andconsequentlly relieving the braking action of the shoe 44. Thus, thesudden shock resulting from the fast starting of the motor is taken upin the downward movement of the pulley 52 and the rotary movement of thecontrol wheel I2 against the action of'the clock spring 80. By the timethis shock resulting from the sudden starting of the winding motor istaken upthe braking action upon the spool has been released and thewirebegins to unwindfrom the spool. Any slackening in the tension of thewire 34a during the winding operation results in an upas the wire orstrand is being wound upon the surface having lower peripheral speed,any tendautomatic increasing of thebraking action uponthe spool due tothefollow-up action of the clock ward movement of the pulley 52 and inthe consequent rotation of the wheel I2 in a clockwise direction due tothe take-up action of the clock This results in slightly increasing .thebraking 'eflect upon'the wheel 42, thereby positively preventingoverrunning oi the supply Thus, throughout the entire coiling operationthe braking action upon the rotating spool is so controlled that uniformtension of the wire 34a is constantly maintained and at no time is thewire subjected to a tension which exceeds its tensile strength and at notime is the supply spool permitted to overrun, In other words, the"present invention contemplates a brake means as described which isoperable in accordance with the pull exerted upon the wire by therotating work piece. When the pull exerted upon the wire has atendency'to exceed a predetermined tension the braking action isautomatically relieved and when the pull exerted upon the wire has atendency to lessen, the braking action automatically increases in such amanner as to maintain uniformity or balance in tension.

The control may be so adjusted as to prevent the wire or strand fromexceeding its elastic limit although in someinstances it has been foundpossible and desirable to permit -a uniform amount of wire elongationwithout exceeding the yield point. I

The above described tension control mechanism also functions emcientlyin instances where variation in tension of the withdrawn wire mightresult from the winding of an irregularly shaped workpiece. In instanceswhere the work piece is circular in cross-section, Itheperipheral speedof the .work surface is constant butv in instances where the work pieceis, for example, rectangular.

in cross-section,- the peripheral speed of a point located on the narrowsurface of the work is con- 'siderably greater, than the peripheralspeed of a point on the wide surface of the work. In winding such anobject the variation in peripheral speeds has a tendency to exertproportional variations in pull upon the wire and when the wire is of arelatively small gauge these variations are often suiilcient to causebreakage. By

employing the control device previously described, variations inperipheral speed will not impart proportional variations in tension orpull .upon the wire. This is due to the fact that when the portion ofthe work having the greater f peripheral speed is pulling on the wirethe control wheel "12'IunctiOnS to relieve the braking action justenough to counteract any tendency for increasein the tension of thewire. Likewise,

ency for the wire to slacken is counteracted by spring 80.

It will be app rent that the pulley 52 and its supporting yoke 58 movewith great rapidity in response to the pulling action of the wire-34aand the consequent rotation experienced by the control disc I2. If theyoke 58 was suddenly brought into engagement with a fixed abutment suchas the U-shaped member 66 (Fig. 1), it would have a tendency to dislodgethe wire 340 from the pulley 52 and would also subject the parts to verysevere operating conditions. To avoid clashing ofthe yoke 58 with afixed abutment, the resilient bumper 62 in the form of a U- shapedspring member is employed. The flexible element 60 passes through anaperture provided in the center of the spring 62. The bumper 62 ispivotally supported upon the U-shaped. bracket member 66 and thusenables the flexible element 80. to assume various degrees of angulardisplacement to the vertical. Thus,- when the wire 34a is beingwithdrawn from the far end of the spool; as shown in Fig. l, the portionof the flexible element 60 extending between the pulley 64 and thepulley 62 approximates thevertical, whereas when the 'wire from thespool 36 is being withdrawn from the near or outer end of the spool \Aslightly modified form of tension controlling device is shown in Fig. 8.The device of Fig. 8 differs principally in the form of take-up springwhich functions in cooperation with the control disc I2 and in thestructural details of the brake arm. It will be noted that the deviceshown in Fig. 8 incorporates a brake arm 96 which is nonresilient, ascompared with the resilient leaf spring arm '46 previously described.The arm 96 is pivotally mounted at 98 and is formed with alongitudinally extending recess I00. Extending over this recess I00 andsecured atits upper extremity only to the arm 96 is a leaf spring I02.This leaf spring I02 carries the brake arm 44. The lower extremity ofthe arm 96 i secured to one end of a coiled spring I04, the oppositeextremity of this coiled spring being secured to an adjustable screwmember I06. the screw member I06 is obtained by rotating the knurled nutI08. The spring I04 cooperateswith the leaf spring I02 in causing thebrake shoe 44 to bear resiliently against the periphery ,of the disc 42.The disc 42 is secured to and rotatable with the spool supportingspindle 32, Figs. 8

and 9. a

w The control wheel I2 of- Fig. 8 is secured to a screw IIO whichrotates in a bushing H2 in the same manner as the screw. 14 is rotatablewithin 1 the bushing I6 previously described. The bushformed withanenlargementor head Ill. Intering I|2,like the bushing I6; is "securedagainst rotation within the frame by. means of the clamping screw I8.The inner extremity of the screw Ild'p asses through a recess in the arm96 and is posed between thehead I I4 and the brake arm 96 isalballthrust bearing H6. Extending inwardly from the head H4 is areduced section provided with an axially extending recess .II8. One ex-Adjustment of spring 80 previously described serves to continuously urgethe disc I2 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9. In otherwords, any tendency for the wheel I2 to be rotated in a counterclockwisedirection is opposed by the coiled spring I20. Rotation of the disc I2in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9 causes the screw Hand consequently the head 4 formed integral therewith to move to theleft (Fig. 8), thereby swinging the brake arm 96 to the left,so as toreducethe' braking effectiveness of the shoe 44 upon the periphery ofthe brake wheel 42. The control mechanism of Figs. 8 and 9 distinguishesfrom that disclosed in previously. described figures in that when thescrew member I10 moves inwardly it is not movedagainst the brake arm as-is the screw member I4 (see Fig. 4)'but in fact the head H4 is moved soas to permit the coiled spring I04 to act upon the arm 96 and therebyincrease the braking action of the shoe 44. It will be noted that anadjustable screw member I26 is associated with the arm 96 and servesto'control the degree of fiexure of the leaf spring I02. In someinstances, depending upon the sensitivity of control desired, the screwmay be so positioned as to provide some space between the innerextremity of the screw and the adjacentsurface of the leaf spring. Undersuch circumstances positive braking action of the shoe 44 does not takeplace until the leaf spring .I02 has been flexed into engagement withthe inner extremity of the screw or abutment I26. By adjusting theposition of the screw I26 and the position of the screw I06, the brakingaction of the shoe 44 may be very sensitively controlled to meet theneeds incident to its use. The tension of the take-up coiled spring Imay be adjusted by rotating a handle I28 of a vertically disposedadjusting rod I30. The lower end of this rod I30 carries a; worm I32which meshes with a companion worm wheel I34 coupled with the shaft I22.Thus, the force or tension of the coiled spring I 20 may be controlled2,388,121 4 v 11 wherein the control mechanism of Figs. 1 to '1',v

inclusive, incorporates the brake arm 86 of Fig. 8.

In Fig. 8 the coiled spring I04 functions to increase the braking actionof theshoe 44 whereas in Fig.11 a coiled spring I04a continuously urgesthe arm 86a to the left so as to maintain contact between said arm andthe screw". The arm 96a is recessedsimilarly to the arm 96 and alsoemploys the leaf spring I02 which carries'the brake shoe 44. Theadjustable abutment screw I I26 may also be carried by the arm 86d tocontrol the degree of flexure experienced by. the spring I02.

In all other respects the control mechanism shown in Fig. 11' isstructurally identical with that disclosed in Figs. 1 to I, inclusive.

' From the foregoing it will be apparent that this inventioncontemplates an improved, efllciently operable means for controlling thetension in strands such as wire,. thread and the like during byadjusting the vertical shaft I30, whereas the adjustment of the tensionin the previously described clock spring 80 is obtained by disengagingthe pin 90 from the disc 88 and moving the disc 88 until one of theother apertures 94 is brought into registration with the retracted pin90. a

A detailed description of the functioning of the controlmechanismshownin Figs. 8 to v10, inclusive,.in combination with theflxed pulley 64 and floating pulley 62 is not believed necessary. Itwill sufliceto state that when the control mechanism of Figs. 8' to 10,inclusive, is employed, downward movement of the pulley 62 causescounterclockwiserotation-of the control disc I2 as viewed in Fig. 9 andfrom the left of Fig. 8, thereby causing the screw IIO to rotate in amanner which relieves the braking action upon the, brake wheel 42. Theupward, movement of the floating pulley. 62 permits the coiledspring I28to rotate the the withdrawal .thereof from a supply spool. Themicrometer adjustment screw in association with the take-up spring,floating pulley, et cetera, provides a cushioning action which precludesthe possibility of excessive tension in the strand as it is beingwithdrawn from the spool. 'As previously pointed out, excessive tensionnormally experienced in conventional mechanisms for withdraw;- ing wirefrom spools is positively avoided. In devices constructed in accordancewith the present invention which have been in successful commercial use,a take-up of as much as 36 inches of wire has been obtained at the startof the winding operation, thereby preventing the wire from beingsubjected to excessive tension conditions. By

employing the floating pulley 62 the aforesaid take-up of 36 inches isaccomplished by subjecting said pulley to vertical displacement of only18 inches. The arm68 may be positioned along the vertical rod I0 in anadjusted position prior to the starting of the unwinding operation,thereby affording the pulley 52,greater or lessdegree of I verticalshifting. Also, before winding. the work piece, the take-up spring suchas the clock spring 80 or the coiled \spring I20 may be adjusted toresiliently impart greater or less turning force to its respectivecontrol wheel I2. With the view of reducing to a minimum the inertiawhich must be overcome in moving the floating pulley 62 downwardly as aresult of the pulling action of the wire 34a, rotating parts such as thewheel I2, the brake wheel 42, and even the pulleys 62 and 64 arepreferably made of light weight material such as' Bakelite. By employingthe floating pulley 62 over which the wire must pass from the supplspool 34 to the work piece 64, a tackle or pulley block arrangement ispresented which reduces to a satisfactory minimum the tension'to whichthewire 84a must be subjected in order to render the tension controlmechanism associated with the control wheel 1: functionally fbperable.

In addition, the sensitivity of the take-up springs 80 and I20associated withthe control wheels coupled with the mechanical advantageafforded bythe aforesaid tackle or pulley block arrange? merit assuresbalanced, substantially uniform tension conditions which .enables' veryflne wires to be firmly wound upona work. piece without the slightestpossibility of breakage. That isto say,-

-- despite the smallness in the gauge of the wire, the

sensitivity in operation of the control mechanism is such as to maintaina predetermined uniform tension in the wire.

It will also be noted that the floating pulley 62 withdraws the wirefrom the spool 84 at substantially the same angle at all times. Alsotheggxible element 60 is tangentially withdrawn from the wheel I2 at thesame'radlal distance at all times. That is to say, the pullof theflexible element 60 is always exerted at the same point, thesamedistance from the center of the wheel, and tangentially in the samedirection. This materially contributes to the uniformity in function ofthe tension control device. 1

It. has been previously pointed out that the micrometer mechanism of thebrake control means is automatically responsive to variations in thepulling force exerted upon the wire or strand during the withdrawalthereof to correspondingly control the operative eflectiveness of thebrake means-and thus maintain balanced tension conditions. In thisconnection, it should also be understood that variations in pullingforce fre- 'cuently result from irregularity in the speed of theelectric motor which rotates the work piece. The present invention isdesigned to prevent deleterious increases in wire tension fromirregularities in the speed of the motor. The sensitivity of theaforementioned micrometer or screw mechanism, and'parts associatedtherewith, is such that it may be adjusted to permit some or to entirelyprevent any elongation in the wire.

Wires of extremely small cross section may be.

subjected to some elongation without breakage providing accurate controlof the tension experienced by the wire is maintained in accordance withthe teachings of the present invention. The brake means or shoepreviously described is preferably maintained in continuous contact withthe brake wheel 42. In other words, it is preferableto preventthebrakewheel 42 from running free at an time except at the instant ofstarting. The construction of the brake arms disclosed herein is suchthat when increase in' braking action is initiated, such action is of ayieldable or cushioning nature due to the fact that the brake shoes aremounted directly upon spring members.

In one instance this constitutes the leaf spring 46 and in .the otherinstance the leaf spring I02,

- each of which is free at one extremity to facilitate the flexingthereof.

The micrometer adjustment or screw mechanism previously described makesit possible to apply substantial brakingforce although the forceavailable to effect such braking action is relatively small. That is tosay, the turning force applied tothe control disc 12 in. one directionby the pullingof the flexible element 60, and in the other directionbythe resilient action of the take-up springs (clock spring 80 or coilspring I), is of relativelysmall magnitude as compared'with the force ofthe screw. member acting upon the brake arm., Thus, the lesser. forceavailable to bring about automatic-responsiveness of the control disctovariations in pulling force: upon the wire acts through. themicrometeradjustment or screw mechanism in making' availabie a greaterforce for operating the brake means.

Throughout thespeciflcation and in the claims reference is made to V thepresent invention as being adaptable; for controllingthe tension in trads- Theitermfstrandff is usedin its broadst sense to include either asingle fllament, wire,

I sion in strands as they are being applied to'the peripheral surface ofaflrotating object, but is adapted to 'be employed in any instance wherea strand must be withdrawn from" a source of suptural embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that theinvention is not limited to the specific disclosures and structuraldetails, but is capable of other 'modiflcations and changes withoutdeparting from the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

' 1. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from. a source oi supply and applied toa work piece includinga free support for a coiled strand, shiftable brake means for governingthe force exerted. by thestrand to withdraw the strand from said supportand brake control means including micrometer mechanism operativelyassociated with said brake means and automatically responsive tovariations in the pulling force exerted upon the strand during thewithdrawal thereof to correspondingly control the operativeeffectiveness of said brake means.

2. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source of supply and applied to a work piece includinga 3. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source of supply and applied to a work piece includinga free support for a coiled strand adapted to be rotated in response tothe pull experienced by the strand as it is .being withdrawn therefrom,shiftable brake means for governing the force required to rotate saidsupport, and brakecontrol ,means including rptatablescrew mechanismoperatively associated with said brake'means and automaticallyresponsive to variations in the pulling force exerted upon the strandduring the withdrawal thereof to correspondingly control theoperativeeffectiveness of said brake means.

1 4. Mechanism for controlling the'tension in a strand as it is'beingwithdrawn from afsource of supply and applied'to a workpiece.including a support fora coiled 'strandjshift'abl'ei brake means forgoverning the'force required. to. withdraw the strand from said support,brake control means including'micrometer mechanism operativelyassociated with said brake means and automatically 'responsivetovariations in ith'e pulling'force-exertedj upon the strand during thewithdrawal thereof to' correspondingly controllthe operative t med be en? e1 b brake control means I 5; Me fo effectiveness of, said brakemeans; iifesili'ent slack. take up'means cooperativelyassociatd withsaid micrometer mechanism, and es'll'ent ine sfiand said fjb i ii ie n.h" i l ..l a strand asit'is being withdrawn from a source of supplyincludinga support for a coiled strand, shiftable brake means forgoverning the force required to withdraw the supported strand, and

brake control means including a rotatable screw. member for directingmovement of said brake means, said screw member being automaticallyresponsive in rotation to variations in the pulling force above apredetermined value exerted upon the strand during the withdrawalthereof.

6. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source supply including a support for a. coiled strand.

shiftable brake means for governing the force required to withdraw thesupported strand, brake 2,388,121 t required to withdraw the supportedstrand, brake control means automatically responsive to variations inthe pulling force exerted uponthe strand during the withdrawal thereof,said brake control means including a rotary control member, a flexibleactuating element having one extremity peripherally associated with saidrotary member,

a shiftable strand guiding member vcoupled with the opposite extremityof said flexible element,

a guiding member for said flexible element positioned above said rotarymember and said strand guiding member, and a bumper. means interposedbetween .the guide means for the flexible element and said strandguiding means.

11. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source of supply and applied to a work piece which maybe non-cylindrical including a support for a coiled strand, shiftablebrake means for governing the force required to withdraw the strand fromsaid support, flexible brake control means 'includingmicrometermechanism operatively ascontrol means including a rotatable screw memberautomatically responsive to variations in pulling force exerted upon thestrand during the withdrawal thereof, shiftable strand guiding means,and a flexible element coupling said shiftable strand guiding means withsaid brake control means whereby variations in pull exerted upon thestrand will be transmitted to said brake control means.

I 8. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source of supply including a support for a coiledstrand, shiftable brake means for governing the force required towithdraw the supported strand, brake control means automaticallyresponsive to variations in pulling force exerted upon the strand duringthe withdrawal thereof for effecting movement of said brake means,shiftable strand guiding means, a flexible element coupling saidshiftable strand guiding means with said brake control means wherebymovement of said shiftable strand guiding means will correspondinglyeflect said brake control means, a fixed guide means for said flexibleelement interposed between said shiftable strand guiding means and saidbrake control means, and means for securing said fixed guide means invarious fixed positions with respect to said brake control means.

9. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source of supply including a support for a coiledstrand, shiftable brake means for governing the force required towithdraw the supported strand, brake p of said flexible element wherebyvariations in pull experienced by the strand will be transmitted to saidbrake control means.

10. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source'of supply including a support for a, coiledstrand, means for governing the force sociated with said brake means andautomatically responsive to variations in the pulling force exerted'uponthe strand during the withdrawal thereof to correspondingly control theoperative effectiveness of said brake means, resilient slacktake-up-means cooperatively associated with said, micrometer mechanism,and means for adjust ing the tension in said resilient slack take-upmeans.

l2. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source of supply and applied to a polygonallyshapedwork piece including a support for a coiled strand, shiftablebrake means for governing the force required to withdraw the strand fromsaid support, flexible brake control means including micrometermechanism operatively associated with said brake means and automaticallyresponsive to variations in the pulling force exerted upon the strandduring the withdrawal thereof to correspondingly control the operativesupply and applied to a rotating non-cylindrical work piece including asupport for a coiled strand, shiftable brake means for governing theforce required towithdraw the strand from said support, flexible brakecontrol means including micrometer mechanism cooperatively associatedwith said brake means and automatically responsive to variations in thepulling force exerted upon the strand during the withdrawal thereof tocorrespondingly control the operative eil'ecv tiveness of said brakemeans, and resilient slack take-up means including a coiled springcooperatively associated with said micrometer mechanism.

14, Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source of supply, means adaptedto be rotated inresponse to the withdrawing of the strand, shittable brake means forgoveming'the force required to cause rotation 01 said first-mentionedmeans during the withdrawal of the strand, and flexible brake controlmeans including micrometermechanism operatively associated with saidbrake means and automatically responsive to variations in the pullingforce exerted upon the strand during the withdrawal thereof toeurespmdingly control the operative effectiveness of said brake means. v

15. Mechanism for controlling the tension in a strand as it is beingwithdrawn from a source of supply, means adapted to be rotated inresponse to the withdrawing of the strand, brake means operativelyassociated with said first-mentioned rotatable means for governingtheiorce required to withdraw the strand, said brake means inbinding abrake wheel and a shiitable brake 10 member peripherally associatedtherewith, brake control means including mechanism automaticallyresponsive to variations in pulling force "exerted upon the strandduring the withdrawal I thereof, said brake control means comprising a15 rotary wheel member, shittable strand guiding means, and a flexibleelement coupling said shittable strand guiding means with the wheel ofsaid brake control means whereby variations in pull exerted upon saidstrand will control the so quired to withdraw the supported strand,brake control means responsive to variations in the pulling forceexerted upon the strand during the withdrawal thereof, said brakecontrol means including a rotary control member, a flexible actuatingelement having one extremity operatively associated with said rotarymember, a shiftable strand guiding member associated with the oppositeextremity of said flexible element, and a bumper means interposedbetween said shittable strand guiding member and said rotary controlmember.

' GORDON S. CARBONNEAU.

